1978 Shetland referendum

April 2022 In view of the proposals for devolution for Scotland, do you agree that the Shetland Islands Council should continue to press for Shetland's position to be considered through the establishment of a Commission as proposed by Mr J. Grimond? Shetland 1978 03 16 y 9,126 1,028 73 14,242 In March 1978 a referendum was held in Shetland regarding the position of the isles within a potential Scottish Assembly. The isles' MP Jo Grimond had submitted an amendment to the Scotland Bill seeking to establish a commission in the event of a successful vote for a Scottish Assembly. This amendment faced opposition from the Secretary of State for Scotland, Bruce Millan. With Jo Grimond's support, the Shetland Islands Council held the referendum to gauge the electorate's support for its position in the hope that it would give the council a mandate to push for separate consideration for Shetland in the Bill. The question asked was: In view of the proposals for devolution for Scotland, do you agree that the Shetland Islands Council should continue to press for Shetland's position to be considered through the establishment of a commission as proposed by Mr Grimond? Results Yes 9126 No 1028 73 14242 Shetland in Statistics, 1980Shetland in Statistics 1980 1980 Shetland Times Lerwick Aftermath The referendum provided a resounding victory for the Council and Grimond's position, and the Scotland Act 1978 would contain provisions for setting up a commission for Orkney and Shetland.Section 84 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/51/contents/enacted Plans for a Scottish Assembly ultimately failed as a result of the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum, ensuring a continuation of the status quo for Shetland. However, the constitutional debate fostered in part by the referendum led to the creation of the pro-autonomy Shetland Movement. References 1978 Category:Politics of Shetland Category:1978 in Scotland Category:1978 referendums Category:March 1978 in the United Kingdom